Locking fastener

Abstract

A quick-operating locking fastener assembly for use in connecting members together, the fastener assembly comprising a fastener having a threaded shank, and a lock nut assembly receivable on the shank. The lock nut assembly includes a retainer having a passage for receiving the shank, and a seat formed in the retainer. An insert is held in the passage and has internal threads formed thereon for mating with threads of the shank. The insert is radially contractible and expandable between an engaged position in which the insert is threadably engaged with the shank and a disengaged position in which the insert is free to move axially along the shank without engagement of the insert with the shank. A generally deformable lock is disposed in the seat of the retainer and is sized and shaped such that the lock is not in contact with the threads of the shank when the lock is in an undeformed condition so that the lock nut assembly may be rapidly slid onto the shank to a location in which the nut assembly is ready to be tightened to a locked position by relative rotation of the lock nut assembly and fastener with the insert in its engaged position. The lock is deformed upon engagement with one of the members and tightening of the lock nut assembly into locking engagement with the shank thereby to lock the lock nut assembly in place on the fastener.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A quick-operating locking fastener assembly for use in connecting members together, the fastener assembly comprising: a fastener having a head and an externally threaded shank extending therefrom and a lock nut assembly receivable on the shank, the lock nut assembly including a retainer having a passage extending generally longitudinally therethrough for receiving the shank of the fastener, and a seat formed in one end of the retainer, the passage including a chamber portion;   an insert held in the chamber portion of the passage and having internal threads formed thereon for mating with the external threads of the shank, the insert being radially contractible and expandable between an engaged position in which the internal threads of the insert are threadably engaged with the external threads of the shank and a disengaged position in which the insert is free to move axially along the length of the shank without engagement of the internal threads of the insert with the external threads of the shank; and   generally deformable locking means disposed in the seat of the retainer, said locking means being sized and shaped such that said locking means is not in contact with the threads of the shank and at least a portion of said locking means protrudes outwardly from the retainer when said locking means is in an undeformed condition so that the lock nut assembly may be rapidly, translationally slid onto the fastener shank from a free end of the shank to a location nearer the head in which the lock nut assembly is ready to be tightened to a locked position by relative rotation of the lock nut assembly and fastener with the insert in its engaged position;   said locking means adapted to be deformed upon engagement with one of the members and tightening of the lock nut assembly into locking engagement with the shank thereby to lock the lock nut assembly in place on the fastener; wherein said locking means comprises a ring made of an elastomeric material and at least one cam located within the seat for forcing the ring into engagement with the threads of the shank when the fastener assembly is in its locked position; and   wherein the cam comprises a ball and wherein the ring has a tapered outer surface for engagement with the ball.     
     
     
       2. A locking fastener assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ball protrudes outwardly from one end of the retainer. 
     
     
       3. A locking fastener assembly as set forth in claim 2 further comprising plural balls. 
     
     
       4. A quick-operating locking fastener assembly comprising: a fastener having a head and an externally threaded shank extending therefrom and a lock nut assembly receivable on the shank, the lock nut assembly including a retainer having a passage extending generally longitudinally therethrough for receiving the shank of the fastener, and a seat formed in one end of the retainer, the passage including a chamber portion;   an insert held in the chamber portion of the passage and having internal threads formed thereon for mating with the external threads of the shank, the insert being radially contractible and expandable between an engaged position in which the internal threads of the insert are threadably engaged with the external threads of the shank and a disengaged position in which the insert is free to move axially along the length of the shank without engagement of the internal threads of the insert with the external threads of the shank; and   a generally deformable lock comprising a ring and a cam disposed in the seat of the retainer, the ring being sized and shaped such that the ring is not in contact with the threads of the shank and at least a portion of the lock protrudes outwardly from the retainer when the lock is in an undeformed condition so that the lock nut assembly may be rapidly, translationally slid onto the fastener shank from a free end of the shank to a location nearer the head in which the lock nut assembly is ready to be tightened to a locked position by relative rotation of the lock nut assembly and fastener with the insert in its engaged position;   the ring adapted to be deformed upon tightening of the lock nut assembly into locking engagement with the shank thereby to lock the lock nut assembly in place on the fastener; and wherein the cam comprises a ball and wherein the ring has a tapered outer surface for engagement with the ball.     
     
     
       5. A locking fastener assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the ball protrudes outwardly from one end of the retainer.